Talisman Mainstage
Talisman Mainstage
What’s On at the Talisman Theatre
The Talisman offers nine main stage productions every year at our Kenilworth based theatre. We produce shows from across a wide spectrum of different genres and styles, offering a thrilling, vibrant evening in the theatre.
Our reputation means that we attract dynamic directors and top local actors to our stage. We also welcome visiting companies to enhance our programme.
Each season brings something for everyone, including Comedy, Murder and Mystery, Thrillers and the Classics alongside Musicals and our ever-popular family Pantomime.
Check out our What’s On pages regularly to ensure you don’t miss out on these amazing shows.
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
18th - 23rd May 2026
Passion. Desire. Madness. Survival.
Traditional values clash with modern realities in this timeless masterpiece.
Considered Tennessee Williams’s finest work, A Streetcar Named Desire follows Blanche Dubois, a fading Southern belle who is staying with her sister, Stella, in boisterous New Orleans. When she meets Stanley, Stella’s overtly masculine and working-class husband, tensions between the pair rapidly and violently come to a head in the claustrophobia of their cramped living quarters.
Join us for this powerful tale of desire and destruction as Blanche realises that the present holds no hope and the past is inescapable.
ROCK OF AGES
22nd - 27th June 2026
Big dreams. Bigger hair. Blazing riffs.
Let your hair down and bring your dancing shoes for this larger-than-life blast from the past!
Set in the 1980s along the Sunset Strip, join us in following aspiring rocker Drew and small-town girl Sherrie as they chase their dreams at the legendary Bourbon Room, while trying to save the venue from being replaced by a strip mall.
Set to iconic anthems of the era, Rock of Ages is a high-energy, feel-good love letter to the ’80s — a jukebox romp with a soundtrack you’ll adore from start to finish. Live out your Hollywood dreams in this unmissable musical comedy!
Early Access Booking for Rock of Ages
Available exclusively to Talisman Theatre Members until the beginning of March 2026.
To reward our loyal supporters, Rock of Ages tickets will initially be offered only to Talisman Theatre members. Becoming a member is the best way to guarantee your seats for this hugely popular musical – and enjoy a range of benefits all year round.
Why become a member?
- Exclusive early booking on Rock of Ages before tickets go on general sale
- Discounted ticket prices for all Talisman productions throughout the year
Don’t miss out on your chance to secure the best seats.
👉 Join the Talisman Theatre today:
48 GHOSTS
12th July 2026
Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned…
Made in 48 Hours are back at the Talisman Theatre, a little earlier than usual and this year with something a bit different.
Do you believe in things that go bump in the night or are you a hard and fast sceptic? Are you brave enough to join us for a scream as we enter the world of the supernatural?
All brave souls welcome for an evening of fun frights and ghoulsih delight.
Sunday 12th July 2026 at 7.30pm.
Tickets £15 – book early to avoid disappointment.
This year’s production is in aid of ‘NCT Parents In Mind’ registered charity number 801395. We hope to see you there.
*Whilst this production will embody the usual 48 hour spirit, we never know exactly what will happen on the night and it may, therefore, not be suitable for young children so parental descretion is advised.
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
28th September - 3rd October 2026
RELAXED PERFORMANCE - Wednesday 30th September2026
A journey through mind and heart
A moving story of courage, curiosity, and connection. Step into the extraordinary world of Christopher Boone in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
Adapted from Mark Haddon’s award-winning novel, this unforgettable story follows fifteen-year-old Christopher, a brilliant mind on a mission to solve the mystery of a neighbour’s dead dog. What begins as a detective adventure soon becomes a profound journey of self-discovery, family, and resilience.
Engaging and uplifting, this drama is perfect for families and students, with strong connections to GCSE and A-Level study. Join us for an unforgettable experience that touches both heart and mind.
Including a Relaxed Performance on Wednesday 30th September. See the MORE INFO page for further details.
GASLIGHT
2nd - 7th November 2026
Deception burns behind closed doors
The iconic Victorian thriller of manipulation, secrets and suspense. The Manninghams appear to be the perfect couple — at least from the outside. But behind the elegant façade of their London home, something far more sinister is at play.
Bella begins to doubt her sanity; Jack vanishes on mysterious errands; objects disappear, and strange footsteps echo from the attic. Is Bella truly losing her mind? Why does the light keep flickering? And what prompts the sudden arrival of a detective at their door? Gaslight is a gripping story of psychological control, deception and resilience — a chilling glimpse into the life of a woman fighting to reclaim her reality.
Rediscover Patrick Hamilton’s classic thriller in a new light — the play that gave us the term “gaslighting” — and experience a timeless drama that feels more unsettlingly relevant than ever. Step into the shadows and see it for yourself.
Comedy Night: Live at the Talisman
Saturday 21st November 2026
Get your friends together for a Saturday night packed with sharp wit, brilliant storytelling and big laughs as Live at the Talisman returns with another fantastic line-up!
Leading the bill is Tiff Stevenson, the acclaimed comedian, actor and writer known for her appearances on Mock the Week, House of Games and People Just Do Nothing, and heard on BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz. Smart, playful and brilliantly perceptive, Tiff finds the funny in everything from everyday frustrations to the world’s bigger absurdities.
Joining her is Deane Dixon-Foster, whose dry humour and self-deprecating stories turn awkward encounters, relationships and modern life into wonderfully daft comedy.
Also taking the mic is Jack McLean, a BBC New Comedy Awards semi-finalist and winner of the Yorkshire Comedy Awards’ Best Breakthrough Act. With quick wit, conversational charm and entertaining tales, Jack is a rising talent well worth catching.
Your host Harry Jenkins brings his distinctive Brummie humour and deadpan take on everyday life to keep the laughs flowing throughout the evening.
Four brilliant comics. One great night out. Book your seats and join us for live comedy at the Talisman!
CINDERELLA
19th December 2026 to 2nd January 2027
A sparkling family adventure!
The timeless tale you know and love…with a few delightful twists in this year’s Talisman pantomime.
Prince Christopher needs to take a wife; but, for one more day, he wants to taste the freedom of an ordinary man. Swapping places with his manservant, Dandini, he encounters the Stoneybroke family, comprising two larger-than-life sisters, an overworked hired hand and a young girl by the name of Cinderella. The Prince is captivated by her and her kindness to an old lady in the town, but all too soon, he has to return to royal duties. Will he ever see Cinderella again, and who is the strange old lady who is more than she seems?
The Talisman Pantomime once again brings you an evening of spectacle, music and comedy for all the family.
Including a Relaxed Performance – see Relaxed Performance for details.
HE'S BEHIND YOU - A Festive interactive murder mystery evening!
16th January 2027
In conjunction with the Talisman Theatre, Whodunnit return with another original interactive murder mystery evening set in the world of that most wholesome festive entertainment – the Pantomime!
The Charnwood Players are getting ready for the curtain up of their pantomime – Jack and the Beanstalk. As they gather for the opening night, tensions rise and secrets are revealed. It can be murder working on a pantomime – possibly literally in this case.
You are promised an evening of larger-than-life characters, festive fun and a little bloodshed.
2:22 A Ghost Story
8th to 13th February 2027
A spine-chilling supernatural thriller where secrets surface and belief is put to the test.
A spine-chilling ghost story of belief, doubt and things that go bump in the night. Jenny and Sam have moved into their new home with their baby daughter, Phoebe. But while Sam sees a fresh start, Jenny senses something frighteningly wrong.
Every night, at precisely 2:22, Jenny hears footsteps around her daughter’s cot through the baby monitor. She’s convinced the house is haunted. Sam refuses to believe it. When their friends Lauren and Ben arrive for dinner, a clash of beliefs turns an ordinary evening into an increasingly unsettling encounter. Jenny asks them to stay awake until 2:22 — and discover the truth once and for all.
Written by Danny Robins, creator of the hit BBC series Uncanny, 2:22 A Ghost Story combines sharp humour, simmering tension and supernatural suspense. As the minutes tick by, certainties crumble and nerves begin to fray. What would it take to make you believe?